Forced labor or voluntary work: Teachers are attracted to “landscaping” in Chust

In the city of Chust, Namangan region, teachers of secondary school No.9 are involved in forced labor, Kun.uz correspondent reports.

According to the correspondent, at present, the LLC “Obidjon Akmalxon hamkor”, within the framework of the “Prosperous center” (“Obod markaz”) program, is carrying out major overhaul of the school.

The school Principal Ravshanoy Ismoilova is pleased that the school is undergoing major overhaul. When she was asked why teachers are attracted to the work process, she noted that teachers work for their school.

“Teachers are landscaping the school, where they work. I called them to “khashar” (voluntary work). We did not force anyone. If we do not clean the territory ourselves, then who will do it? They are grateful and they work sincerely,” she said.

Deputy Director of the school Mukaddas Davronova and English teacher Burayma Mamadaliyeva said that they came to work on a voluntary basis.

In general, almost all teachers said that they work here voluntarily, although it was clear that they did not express any particular desire for voluntary work.

According to the school Principal, if a teacher works on his/her own territory, this is a normal process and it is not considered forced labor. However, teachers should go on vacation in summer and rest like normal people.

On June 16, the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations reported that ministerial specialists carefully study the above facts.

It should be recalled that on June 26, Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the law “On ratification of the Protocol to Convention 29 of the International Labor Organization on Forced Labor, 1930”.

According to the ILO Convention, the national policy of the states that adopted the document prohibits forced or compulsory labor. In compliance with the convention, the term “forced or compulsory labor” means any work or service required of a person under the threat of any punishment and for which this person did not voluntarily offer his/her services.